The examples given by Aizuddin Danian 'Mind-altering power of religion'( Aug 15) to demonstrate the power of religion are too simplistic and wrong.

While it is most natural for a new believer in God's absolute power to surrender to him by going down on his knees - and therefore really, is not much of a point to ponder - it is the opposite with the writer's second example.

Firstly, any action and reaction of a Palestinian is the result of the race being victimised for almost 80 years where they have been cheated out of their homeland and killed for no other reason than the Zionist's belief that Palestine belongs to the Jews.

In a life of a Palestinian youth, all he may have seen are Palestinian adults and children being killed by Jewish people and his future does not promise him anything but fear of being bombed in his sleep. He then becomes an easy target to be persuaded to do the wrong thing in the name of religion.

Secondly, the example is completely wrong. Ask any Muslim, even the ignorant ones and he or she will tell you that the penalty for suicide is an instant access not to heaven but hell!

I agree with the writer that politicians will use and abuse any subject that is close to the hearts of the people and religion is one and it is very dangerous, but please find other examples.